Method of optimizing the displaying of image media on a wireless communications device

Abstract

A method of displaying image media on a display of a wireless communications device entails displaying a hybrid view of the image media by presenting a list of folders containing image media and by concurrently presenting thumbnail images of the image media corresponding to at least one of the folders. The thumbnail images can be scaled-down images of digital pictures or scaled-down frames of digital video. Optionally, when the user selects one of the thumbnail images, the display presents the file name and file size.

1 . A method of displaying image media on a display of a wireless communications device, the method comprising a step of displaying a hybrid view of the image media by presenting a list of folders containing image media and by concurrently presenting thumbnail images of the image media corresponding to at least one of the folders. 
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of displaying the hybrid view of the image media comprises displaying folders and thumbnail images of digital pictures contained within one of the folders selected by the user. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of displaying the hybrid view of the image media comprises displaying folders and thumbnail images of frames of digital video contained within one of the folders selected by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a step of enabling the user to select one of the thumbnail images to further display a file name and file size. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising steps of displaying one or more sources of the image media and grouping hierarchically the folders containing the image media under each of the one or more sources. 
     
     
         6 . A computer program product comprising code adapted to perform the steps of  claim 1  when the computer program product is loaded into memory and executed on a processor of a wireless communications device. 
     
     
         7 . The computer program product comprising code adapted to perform the steps of  claim 2  when the computer program product is loaded into memory and executed on a processor of a wireless communications device. 
     
     
         8 . The computer program product comprising code adapted to perform the steps of  claim 3  when the computer program product is loaded into memory and executed on a processor of a wireless communications device. 
     
     
         9 . The computer program product comprising code adapted to perform the steps of  claim 4  when the computer program product is loaded into memory and executed on a processor of a wireless communications device. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product comprising code adapted to perform the steps of  claim 5  when the computer program product is loaded into memory and executed on a processor of a wireless communications device. 
     
     
         11 . A wireless communications device comprising:
 an input device for enabling a user to select image media;   a processor and memory for generating a hybrid view of the image media having both a list of folders containing the image media and thumbnail images of the image media; and   a display for displaying the hybrid view of the image media by presenting the list of the folders containing the image media and by concurrently presenting thumbnail images of the image media corresponding to at least one of the folders.   
     
     
         12 . The wireless communications device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the hybrid view of the image media comprises thumbnail images of digital pictures contained within one of the folders selected by the user. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless communications device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the hybrid view of the image media comprises thumbnail images of frames of digital video contained within one of the folders selected by the user. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless communications device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the display presents one or more sources of the image media and wherein the folders are grouped hierarchically under each of the one or more sources. 
     
     
         15 . The wireless communications device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the display further presents a file name and file size of an image that is selected by the user. 
     
     
         16 . The wireless communications device as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising a non-touch input means for use in navigating the hybrid view. 
     
     
         17 . The wireless communications device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said non-touch input means is a trackball/thumbwheel. 
     
     
         18 . The wireless communications device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said non-touch input means is user-selectable and depressible whereby the user can select an image by depressing the non-touch input means. 
     
     
         19 . The wireless communications device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the hybrid view comprises a footer that presents a file name and file size of an image last selected by the user.